KingDemetrius Pendleton
always has a camera with him.
“My camera is my weapon, my choice,” he says.“When you are documenting the truth, the truth deserves no apology. Once you see something, you can’t deny it. And once you know the truth, you’re able to act on it.”
A photographer and journalist, KingDemetrius understands the power and importance of stories. In 2015 when police killed Jamar Clark in North Minneapolis, KingDemetrius brought his camera out to the site. As he bore witness and spoke with others who were there, he noticed the difference between what he was seeing and hearing, and what mainstream media was portraying. He recalled the words of Malcom X:
“The media’s the most powerful entity on earth. They have the power to make the innocent guilty and make the guilty innocent.”
Since then he has been photographing and livestreaming events revolving mainly around racial justice.
“I wanted to change the way people narrate the world,” KingDemetrius says.
He’s also worked tirelessly against distracted and drunk drivers after the death of his daughter, who was tragically killed by an impaired driver. He’s partnered with an array of mission-driven organizations, giving others
“the opportunity, the freedom to speak, to act, to do something about their causes for justice.”
As a single father of five, KingDemetrius is now raising money to purchase a home for his family. The security of home ownership is a major step in allowing him to continue his voluntary community activism and storytelling. It will allow him to
“keep speaking power to truth, and keep showing up for people,” he says.
Virginia McKnight Binger Unsung Hero Awards recognize the significant impact four honorees have had on the state of Minnesota and its communities.
Meet the Other Heroes:
Richard Howell
Ruth Evangelista
Rawhi Said
